Saturday, November 17, 2007

Faith And Moral Goodness

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? - James, New Testament Elder

Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something. - Henry David Thoreau

I ran across Thoreau's quote yesterday and it immediately brought the words from the book of James to mind. The two quotes: One from an early New Testament Elder; And one from a philosopher/transcendentalist. James says that the Faith found in Christ is life giving. James asks, What good is a faith that does not work?

Thoreau talks about morality and says that people rob themselves by confusing morality with being good. He says that real morality is good for something.

When faith and morality exist only as concepts they neither give life or produce goodness. Is it any wonder that so many can see no purpose in becoming a Christ follower? When communities of faith become lifeless, and in essence, their moral goodness does nothing, they are adrift in dangerous waters with no power.